‘Fr. Reuters’ love for Philippines and Filipinos was legendary’

They loved Father James Reuter for his dedication as a great communicator of the Gospel, his beautiful musical plays and inspiring stage dramas, and mostly for genuinely loving the Philippines and serving its people.

Catholic Church members, especially those who had the opportunity to work with the beloved American Jesuit in his 46 years of service with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), had good memories of him as they mourned his passing on Monday

“An American by birth, a Filipino by heart, he was a communicator par excellence,” said Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, the CBCP media director.

“Aside from pioneering his own brand of stage drama and literature, he will be remembered for initiating the rural mimeo press during martial law and for facilitating the establishment of radio stations in many dioceses throughout the country,” added Quitorio.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes described him as a “very pious and exemplary” Jesuit priest whom he always saw wearing his Jesuit habit.

“He was a great communicator of the Good News of Jesus using modern media and even musicals, plays and movies,” said Bastes.

As a young seminarian, Bastes was one of the many who admired Reuter’s work, always taking the time to watch the college musicals that he directed, including “The Sound of Music,” “Show Boat” and “South Pacific,” among others.

Bastes also remembered watching, as a high school freshman in the seminary, “The Mikado,” the first production of the Ateneo Glee Club, which Reuter also founded.

“We Filipinos will surely miss Father Reuter [but] he will continue to direct plays and musicals in heaven,” said the bishop. [More]

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INQUIRER